Valparaiso University's volleyball team, fresh off of the school's first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament, will take to the court 31 times during the 2004 season as the Crusaders have announced their fall schedule.

Head coach Carin Avery's squad will open their campaign at the Athletics-Recreation Center on September 1 when the Brown and Gold entertains Michigan. The Wolverines, which advanced to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament, are one of three postseason teams on Valpo's schedule this season.

The Crusaders will travel to three tournaments during the month of September, including the Ball State Classic, the Kentucky Conference Challenge in Lexington, Ky., and the Billiken Invitational in Saint Louis, Mo.

Valpo will also travel to NCAA Tournament participants Notre Dame and Arkansas during the regular season, while home non-conference contests include battles with DePaul, Toledo, and IPFW.

The Brown and Gold will open defense of its Mid-Continent Conference title on September 24 when Oral Roberts visits the ARC in a rematch of last season's Mid-Con Tournament Championship.

This year's Mid-Con Tournament is set to take place November 19-20 in Tulsa, Okla., with Oral Roberts serving as the tournament's host.